Higher Ed Matters: Archive for June, 2012

It has been an exciting last couple of weeks on our campus, as we welcomed thousands of families and friends to share the joy of our graduating Class of 2012.

As chancellor, I look forward to seeing the smiling faces of our students and their families come together to celebrate this momentous occasion. As a mother, I know there is no greater joy than seeing your child walk across the stage as his or her name is announced – I too, celebrated my daughter’s graduation just a few days prior.

So, when it came to deciding what I would say in my commencement address this year, I knew I wanted to share with all the other parents, grandparents and family members in the audience the same pride I felt seeing my child fulfill the dream I had always hoped for her.

On Sunday at our last commencement ceremony, I had the privilege of speaking the words of a proud, “anonymous mom” to our graduates and their families as my daughter sat in the audience.

In all, UC Davis this spring conferred about 8,475 degrees – including 6,725 bachelor’s degrees and 1,750 advanced degrees. I congratulate all those students — and their families — and share in the pride and joy of such tremendous accomplishments.

Denise Albert, the 1996 medalist, presents Larissa Miyachi with the 2012 University Medal at the College of Biological Sciences ceremony. (Martin Wong/UC Davis)

Awarding the University medal. As you may know, commencement is in full swing at UC Davis. This morning at the College of Biological Sciences ceremony, Larissa Miyachi, a biochemistry and molecular biology major, received the highest honor awarded to the top graduating senior – the 2012 University Medal. Larissa is a remarkable young woman who is destined for medical school. Today, she joins a group of Aggies in a class all of their own. I invite you to read more about her and other former medalists, and join me in congratulating Larissa for all of her accomplishments!

The UC Davis women’s club water polo team poses for a photo with Chancellor Katehi.

Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting a reception for our women’s club water polo and lacrosse teams to celebrate their national championships. Our women’s water polo club captured its first National Collegiate Club Championship at Florida State University in early May, knocking off some pretty tough competition in the process. And our 10th-seeded women’s lacrosse club pulled off an upset of No. 1 Colorado State to win the national club lacrosse title. Both teams were considered underdogs, but with their spirit and skill, they brought the national titles home to UC Davis!

UC Davis Chancellor

Linda Katehi

The UC Davis women’s club lacrosse team poses for a photo with Chancellor Katehi.

Sunday evening, I was at the home of Professor Emily Albu for the annual classics department picnic. The picnic – held to honor graduating seniors – featured wonderful food and musical performances by the students. Emily’s home is a playful replica of a Pompeiian model, featuring Greco-Roman busts, statues and fountains that left even a Greek speechless! However, the highlight of the evening was not just the house, but the students. They were some of the most amazing, smart, multitalented and cool students.

Aaron Heuckroth, a graduating senior with a double major in classics and microbiology, received citations for excellent performance in both disciplines. Aaron will also receive the College of Biological Sciences Medal next week for academic excellence. But his talents go far beyond Latin and microbiology.

Check out his blockbuster performances of what I call the “heavy-metal Caesar.” Aaron calls it “The Conquest” and “The Ides.” Both songs are on a short album titled Res Romanae (“Roman Things”) that he wrote, recorded and has performed as an independent project for the classics department. Aaron said Res Romanae is based on the famous works of writers like Vergil and Julius Caesar that he read during his studies of classics here at UC Davis and are meant to take the concepts, emotions and history of these time-tested works and present them in a modern, rock-heavy context.